This post comes from reading some of the comments in the WOZ white-wood play-field thread, which made it sound like Sterns Product hadn't developed much. Personally I disagree and think they have made progress. I wondered what others thought and if people think Stern pins have improved, how have they improved?

The thinking behind this post in NOT to organise a fight between Stern fans and haters so please don't turn it into one.

There is definitely a build quality thing as I have CSI (2008/9) next to RBION (2004) and I can see the difference.

From the responses so far it sounds like the choice of theme and game-play rules.

I was actually thinking of evolution in terms quality like lights, sounds, depth and gameplay. The way I see it is:
1. Stern takes over from a failing Sega and start off producing games like HD, SE and Sharkeys

2. They moved up a gear as LOTR, RBION and TSPP were landmark games in that it was only then that Stern showed that they could make good successful complicated games of a good standard. They also investing in top designers for one off games and put more money into the product.

3.That was followed by a mixed bag of games for a couple of years

4. Then the SAM board system marked better sounds better graphics and a bit of physical refinement, with games like LOTR and Spidey, Iron man, Batman.

5. Financial problems saw a some games go to the market too early (Batman/CSI/NBA/24 updates were too late)

6. Then a change to simpler games

7. Then hopefully back to more balanced games with Tron.

Over the years there has been a lot of improvement. Striker Extreme>Tron but I guess unless the theme is right it is all wasted.

I think you could say it has nice flow as the shots are all very smooth and sweet and it doesn't hang onto the...... ball but your right BR maybe more flow than speed. Having said that it is fast in multi-ball. Difficult to classify I guess but definitely not slow or clunky.

Good point, I'm a Gomez fan but come to think of it Playboy, which I like a lot is another Gomez pin that stops the ball.
I don't think this is important as long as the games are mixed up a bit. Repeating the same style of game, gameplay or theme always seems a mistake. Even if it appeals to a majority it will eventually lead to less players overall. Also manufacturers need to recognise that varying the theme, game and gameplay will occasionally leave some of the pin fans unhappy but would be a move "for the greater good".
OMG I just quoted from Hot Fuzz, now there is a title worth doing!